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Anyone use "Red Dot" for reloading 45acp /AR cases ?
Red Dot
- Thread starter jimmyj
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scattershot
Member
Yessir. 4 grains under a 200 grain swc is a very nice load.
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Red Dot...
Red Dot is one of the least talked about, but very useful powders.
Red Dot is one of the least talked about, but very useful powders.
scattershot
Member
That’s true, I use it in just about all pistol calibers.
MyDads38
Member
I've used RD in 38 Special and 9mm, works as well as Bullseye and cleaner burning.
Smithboomer
Member
9mm, .45 ACP and .32 Long. I load them all with Red Dot.
One reason I like Red Dot is that it is very bulky..........
and you can see it in the pistol cases !!
Bullseye and w231 are................. Way down there, on light loads. (Ball powders)
and you can see it in the pistol cases !!
Bullseye and w231 are................. Way down there, on light loads. (Ball powders)
Qc Pistolero
Member
I also use 4.0gr but under 215gr SWC.Works well in an auto and accurate in a revolver.
Qc
Qc
flyrobb
Member
I have a lb that has never been opened. Seems to be very little data for 9mm. Alliant doesn't even list it under 9mm. Is that due to it's fast burn rate? Is it better suited for .45 and larger cases?
DWalt
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Older Hercules data has many Red Dot (and other powders) load recipes for all pistol calibers.
For 9mm with Red Dot (1988 Hercules reloading pamphlet):
115 gr jacketed - 4.5 grains, 1150 ft/sec
125 gr Lead - 4.5 grains, 1145 ft/sec
124 gr jacketed - 4.6 grains, 1145 ft/sec
I have kept many of the old Hodgdon, Hercules, and duPont reloading data pamphlets from the 1960s onward. They come in very handy at times. As do the older (pre-1980) Lyman reloading handbooks. I have one of those from the late 1960s which I have essentially worn out. The Lyman cast bullet manual is a gold mine of reloading data for the older Hercules and duPont propellants.
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I posted on 10/27/2017 7pm;
Red Dot with a 147gr Berry from a P92 with (not listed)........
3.2 starting grains of powder.
It shot better in my C9, at POA and under a 1" group, off a bag.
C9 got up to 912fps with RD powder.
Red Dot with a 147gr Berry from a P92 with (not listed)........
3.2 starting grains of powder.
It shot better in my C9, at POA and under a 1" group, off a bag.
C9 got up to 912fps with RD powder.
H Richard
US Veteran
What about "Promo", which is supposed to be very similar to Red Dot and the company says to use Red Dot loading inf. Anyone use it?
fredj338
Member
Promo is basically RD w/o the red tags. It does load by weight the same as RD, volume is diff. So you will have to adjust the volume measure if switching.
RD has always been a sleeper for pistol loads, especially with lead bullets. I have put up some really accurate lead bullet loads in 9 & 40 minor as well as 45acp. Like other fast burners, just resist pushing top end loads with it. BTW, IMR Red is also showing really good results in the same applications BUT definitely NOT like the Alliant. It looks sim, red flakes & all, but seems a bit slower with identical loads, a bit cleaner burning too.
fredj338
Member
You gotta go back to the old days, like Speer #11.
apollo99
Member
A timely thread for me, I just received two old 11 ounce square cans of Hercules Red Dot. So far I used it in 38, 38+P, 357 magnum , .44 special and .44 magnum. All good so far. My next use will be in .45 Auto, 5.3 grains behind a 230 grain JRN. it is a little dirty ,but hey it was free, and free is always good. Strange thing though it has Red Dots in it.
My old 1987 Hercules and the 1998 Alliant manuals give Red Dot
data from the little 25 Auto all the way to the 45 Colt.
I agree with the 4.0gr of RD with the 200gr LSW bullet 805 @ 9,400 CUP. (1.19")
Same amount of powder puts the 230 L at 810fps (1.15")
data from the little 25 Auto all the way to the 45 Colt.
I agree with the 4.0gr of RD with the 200gr LSW bullet 805 @ 9,400 CUP. (1.19")
Same amount of powder puts the 230 L at 810fps (1.15")
Qc Pistolero
Member
I use both Red Dot and Promo and I must say that if they're not the same,I haven't been able to discern one from the other.I've even put both of them to test in 45-70 loads and haven't been able to find any difference.
I've read someplace on the web that Promo was very slightly slower burning than Red Dot but as far as I'm concerned,they perform the same.As FredJ338 says,don't be tempted to beat speed records with it.Go for accuracy and they'll both reward you.
Qc
flyrobb
Member
Well there ya go. I only go back to Speer #14. I thought I was supposed to get the latest manuals. Guess it's off to Amazon to get some of the oldies.
cowboy4evr
Member
I have used 4.6 grs w/230gr fmj in my 45 acp rounds . It was a great combo .
geddylee10002000
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Here is a link that might be helpful for some of your questions. Hope this helps some of you.
Alliant Manuals
Alliant Manuals
flyrobb
Member
Great link, THANKS! I noticed you have to go back to Alliants 2005 manual to find Red Dot in their 9mm data, after that they don't list it anymore. Wonder why?
mike campbell
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Who knows what corporate decisions have been made? No company can survive by selling only their 100-yr-old products. Red Dot has been loaded in shotshells at least that long and it ain't going away, even though their newer E3 and Xtralite powders are superior. Unique ain't going anywhere either, even though they've very successfully improved upon it with 20/28. It doesn't mean the old data isn't valid; likely they want to sell their new products which they promote as better choices.
Bullseye was once used in shotshells but it's long been known as only a pistol powder.
Gotta innovate and expand the product line to stay competitive. Look at the Alliant online data and you'll see they've preserved the bulk of their 9mm loadings with various powders under the Speer Gold Dot bullets. Virtually every other bullet gets BE86 and/or Sport Pistol.
Bullseye was once used in shotshells but it's long been known as only a pistol powder.
Gotta innovate and expand the product line to stay competitive. Look at the Alliant online data and you'll see they've preserved the bulk of their 9mm loadings with various powders under the Speer Gold Dot bullets. Virtually every other bullet gets BE86 and/or Sport Pistol.
Eddie Southgate
Member
Use 5 grains under a 200 grain LSWC in my 1917 and Colt New Service . Shoots very well in both .
Eddie
Eddie
Promo can be used anywhere loading data is found for Red Dot. It is to be loaded weight for weight, not by volume. I use it in 9MM, 38 Spec & 45 ACP with great results. I purchased 32 pounds of it a few years ago on clearance for $68/8lb. It handles my bulk shooting in handguns plus a few cast rifle loads.
fredj338
Member
When using older powders, which RD is, old manuals are helpful. I keep all mine, never know when I'll fall into a powder no longer made.
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dg101win
US Veteran
Promo
I used to use a lot of Promo in place of Red Dot in 12 Ga. skeet loads. Just this summer tried it in 38 Spl since I have over 8lbs. of it. So far with 158 Cast SWC it works great.
I used to use a lot of Promo in place of Red Dot in 12 Ga. skeet loads. Just this summer tried it in 38 Spl since I have over 8lbs. of it. So far with 158 Cast SWC it works great.
